Adjustable outlet box



NOV. 20, 1962 W, E, KELLY, JR 3,064,850

ADJUSTABLE OUTLET BOX Filed May 29, 1961 INVENToR. 38 WILLIAM E, KELLY j MAL am Arme/wk United States Patent 3,064,850 ADJUSTABLE OUTLET BOX William E. Kelly, Jr., Jersey City, NJ., assigner to The Thomas & Betts C0., Elizabeth, NJ., a corporation of New .lersey Filed May 29, 1%1, Ser. No. 113,296 8 Claims. (Cl. 220-3.7)

The invention relates to junction or outlet boxes for electrical raceway systems and more particularly to adjustable outlet boxes which are adapted to be cast in place in concrete lioors of building structures to provide a permanent outlet flush with the floor defining surface for receiving, for example, stand-by extensions for general wiring, duplex floor box extensions, telephone outlet boxes, electric current plug-in sockets and the like.

Prior to the pouring of concrete tloors in partially completed building structures, similar outlet boxes are initially installed with electric raceway conduits connected thereto. Usually such boxes are set too high or too low or in non-level position with respect to a proposed floor surface or, subsequently accidently disturbed out of initially set position whereby the cover or oor plate of the outlet box would not be level or flush with a finished concrete oor surface. Thus, the door plate of such outlet boxes is adjustable relative to the box proper to permit leveling thereof flush with a finished concrete floor surface.

Adjustable outlet boxes as known theretofore however, possessed certain disadvantages in that they were complicated, not positively adjustable in all directions of movement, not easily adjustable, unnecessarily heavy and expensive to manufacture and costly in the amount of time required to eect final adjustment of a lioor plate relative to the closure lid of such outlet boxes and a finished concrete floor surface.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved adjustable outlet box which is not subject to the above noted disadvantages.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved adjustable outlet box wherein a rotatably detachable :door plate is adjustably, indirectly mounted in the closure lid of said outlet box.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved adjustable outlet box wherein relative adjustment of a floor plate is not dependent in whole or in part or influenced by a resilient gasket.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved adjustable outlet box wherein an annular member, rotatably detachably mounting a oor plate, is adjustably journaled in the closure lid of said outlet box.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved adjustable outlet box wherein means for adjusting a floor plate relative to the closure lid of said box, is held captive on said closure lid.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved adjustable outlet box wherein an annular member, adjustably carried by the closure lid of said outlet box and mounting a rotatably detachable door plate, is disposed in floating relation with an annular gasket secured on the closure lid of said box.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, the novel features of which are set forth with particularity in the appended claims, the invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, being best understood from the following description of a specific embodiment thereof, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE l is a cross-sectional view through the im- 3,064,850 Patented Nov. 20, 1962 proved adjustable outlet box as assembled and embedded in a concrete floor with its floor plate adjusted level with the iinished floor surface;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan View of the assembled outlet box per se, in closed position and showing a pair of conduits connected thereto in-line position;

FIGURE 3 is a similar view, partially in section, with the floor plate removed showing the adjustable annular member, the annular gasket secured on the closure lid of the outlet box in sealing engagement with the outer periphery of the annular member, and the locking plate for securing the floor plate on the adjustable annular member;

FIGURE 4 is a View in elevation, showing the annular member as adjustably carried by the closure lid of the outlet box and with the tloor plate secured in the upper end of the annular member;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view through the adjustable annular member including the floor plate thereon and its closure cap, showing an electrical socket receptacle, for example, secured to the floor plate in depending relation thereto disposed in the adjustable annular member; and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view, showing one of the adjusting screws in the manner in which they are held captive on the closure lid of the outlet box.

Referring to the drawing, the improved adjustable outlet box, generally indicated at 10, comprises a rectangular base receptacle 12, provided with a plurality of knockout openings 14;, formed in the side walls thereof in diametrically opposite, axial alignment, and a closure lid 16, having a large circular opening 1S, centrally thereof adapted to be secured on the receptacle 1'2 by means of the screws 20.

in accordance with the invention and as best shown in FGURES l and 4, a ilat annular gasket 22, of resilient rubber-like material having an inner diameter substantially smaller than the diameter of the opening 18, in the closure lid 16, is mounted on the outer face of the closure lid 16, with its inner peripheral edge 24, in substantial overlapping concentric relation with the opening 18, therein, a flat metal backing ring 26, having a slightly larger inner diameter than the said opening 18, being superimposed on the gasket 22,r in concentric relation therewith, and the assembly so retained on the closure lid 16, by a plurality of relatively long machine screws 28, provided with reduced neck portions Sil, and extending through suitable angularly spaced holes provided therefor in the ring 26, gasket 22 and closure lid 16, and maintained in adjust- I able captive relation with the closure lid 1.6, by means of an E shaped spring ring 32, embracing the reduced neck portion of each of the screws 28, immediately below the closure lid 16.

lFurther in accordance with the invention and as best shown in FIG. 4, an annular sleeve-like member 34, having an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of the opening 18, in the closure lid 16, but larger than the inner diameter of the gasket 22; the sleeve 34 being provided with a plurality of angularly spaced, integral ears or lugs 36, each provided with a screw threaded opening 38, therethrough, and extending radially from its outer peripheral edge at one end thereof, is disposed axially centrally of the closure lid opening 18, with the captive screws 28, depending from the closure lid 16, threaded into the ears or lugs 36, for supporting the annular member 34, in adjustable floating relation relative thereto and with the inner peripheral edge portion 24, of the gasket 22, in upwardly flared sealing engagement with the outer periphery of the said member 34.

The annular member 34 is further provided on its inner periphery with an annular shoulder 40,'and a pair. of

2 3 diametrically opposite arcuate bosses or projections 42, in axially spaced relationto the upper face of the shoulder 40, forming open ended, arcuate slots `44, therebetween adapted for rotatably, detachably securing a oor plate 46, now to be described, indirectly on the upstanding free end `of the adjustable annular member 34, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. v

Further in accordance with the invention andas best shown' in FIGS. 3 and 5,Y the floor plate 46, comprises an annular member of polished brass,'for example, having an annular shoulder 47, yon its underside and itsrlower outer peripheral edge beveled as indicated at B. lMoreover, the oor plate 46, is provided with a'central opening 48, therethrough and -a relatively large'screw-threaded counterbore 50, concentric therewith forming a Wide, annular shoulder 52, below the top face of the floor plate 46, provided at diametrically opposite points with key-hole openings 54, therethrough whereby an anchoring plate 56, having a central opening 58, therethrough and arcuate ends 6i), including upturned stop projections 62, formed thereon, is secured to the underside of therioor plate 46, in spaced concentric relation therewith by meansY of a pair of at head screws 64, having their heads seated in the smaller ends of themkey-hole openings 54, in the annular shoulder 47. With the oor plate 46, kso provided, it is se- Y `cured on the upstanding free end of the adjustable member or sleeve 34, with an annular fiber gasket 65, therebetween by placing the oorplate 46, thereon with the anchoring plate 56, within the member 34, and rotating the same clockwise whereby the arcuate ends 60, including the 4upsntan'ding ,stop projections 62 on the anchoring'plate =56,l coact with the* slots 44, vformed by theaunnlarshoulder 40, and arcuate bosses 42, on the inner peripheryaof the member'l34, after the manner ofV a fbayonet type connectionto securely lock the oor plate 46 thereon. When the outlet box ltlis'so provided for future'urs, the; counterbore 50, in the floor pla`te1r46, is closed by means of a' screw-threaded disc `66,1having aY suitable liber washer 68,- thereunder, and. a suitable slot 7i), in iitsupper'fa'cefor manipulating the same withv the aid of a, screwdriver orfthe like;A u l u t Y p d v Y As above d`es`cribed,the anchoring plate 56, is utilized in conjunction withthe iloorplate 4 6,only applications* where'th'oor plate 46may be provided withaccesfsories such .asl a st'a'ndfby extension' for general wiring, duplexr extensionor telphouewire outlet, for examplainstead ofi anelectric current outlet receptacle; How-ever,` when the floor plate'46, isA tobe provided'with a"current(outletv receptacle' such as a Hubbell outletI sockewfor example, .aisd indicated at,7rv2, dFIG. 5 the outlet socket is' securedV to the, floorplate 46, in" place of the anchoring plate 5.6,Ain'lik'e1 manner'- and suitably c,c'innected'` to the carrying conductor extending'A through theA` conduits" 74, the' outlet' socket' 72, being connected to the oo'iplate 46, -by means of asupportingV ackef't 56,Yinl te'gal there/with, having'anglarly'bent oppositely extendifg"L arcuate foe` eud'poi'tions" and stop'ngers as on.A they anchoring plate 5,6. Thus, when electrically actuated oice antennes ranas and the me; are t6 be' energii'd, the closure IdiscV 66;k is r'eiiioved fromA theor plate" 46, to,I Xpos 'the' outlet socket 72 lfor/plugging'an extension coid tl'i Li.

,nier-attrae; fhadjsfbie outlet bei 1o; with' the sual rig-ia magma" ,rale/away' conduits; connected thereto in conventional manner', is suitably secured in a predeter# mined positioriion a sub-floorl surface 76, with itsoor' platen46, detached therefrom. In thisposition, the adjustable annular sleeve" 34, of the outlet box 10, is4 ad# justed to within a fraction of inch of the proposedI finished 'floor' line with its freey end face substantially level, with respect tothereto, and the ocr plate 46, subsequentl'y securedV thereon. However, before or duringl the pouring of the concrete oor 78, the pre-'set position of the outlet box 10, is often disturbed to theextent that theoor plate 46 will not belevel with the finished oor line level. Thus, the adjustable feature of the outlet box 10, providesY means, in accordance with the invention, for

adjusting the floor plate 46, up or down and into level y alignment with theiinis'hed surface of the concrete floor after the pouring thereof.

While the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be expressly understood that modifications may be made therein Without departing from the inventive concept underlying the same. Therefore, the linvention is not to be limited except as is necessitated by the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is: Y v Y Y 1. A floor outlet box including a detachable closure lid therefor having a central opening therethrough, an an-V nular sleeve adapted to be received axially of said Vclosure lid opening, said closure lid and said annular sleeve including coactable means whereby said annular sleeve supported in adjustable floating relationby said closure lid, resilient means secured on said closure lid embracing` said annular sleeve in flared sealing relation, an annular floor plate including an anchoring means thereon adapted to be detachably secured on the free end of said sleeve, and coactable means formed internally of the free end of said annular sleeve for receiving said anchoring means in locked relation upon relativeclockwise rotation of saidy oor plate.

, 2. A iloor outlet box including'a detachable closureV lid therefor having a central opening therethrough, annula'floor plate' supporting member extending partlyl throughsaid closure lid opening, said closure lid and saidv supportingY memberA including' coactable' means whereby said annular member is supported in adjustable ioating' relation, a resilient at annular member secured on closure lid in overlapping concentric relation with said closure lid opening' embracing said annularmemberlin narod sealing relation, a lloor plate including an anchoring: meansadapted'to 'be'rotatably detachably secured Aon/dieiy free end of saidV annular member, andmeans `formed on the inner periphery of said *annular memberV forl receiving said anchoring means upon relative clockwise rotation of f said floorplate. d Y o o [n Hoor outlet boxk includinga detachable closureV lid therefor having `a central opening therethrough, rranlrannularsleeve having a` plurality ofulradially extending inem- 'y bers integral with one end thereof extending partly through said closure lidwopening, adjustable means extending @911811 .Sidgclgsure ,lid .in depending captivei relation; engaging dsaid] radially extending members whereby said annular sleeve is supported in adjustable oating relation Y 4. A floor outlet box including a detachable closure'V lid therefor having acentral opening therethrough, an annular sleeve adapted to be received axially of said elo- V sure lidvopening in clearance relation, said closure lid and said annular sleeve including coactable means integral therewith whereby said ,annular sleeve is supported in adjustable floating relation by said closure lid, a resilient,VY flat, annular gasket including a backing ring therefor se cured on said closure lid bythe coactableumeans integral therewith, said resilient gasket being disposed in concen-V tric, overlapping relation with said central opening thereinv whereby to embrace said annular sleeve in flared sealing relation, an annular floor plate having a screw-threaded counterbore concentric therewith and an anchoring means secured on the underside thereof in concentricrelation with said counterbore whereby said floor plate is adapted to be detachably secured on the exposed end of said annular sleeve, coactable means formed internally of the exposed end portion of said annular sleeve for receiving said anchoring means in locked relation upon clockwise rotation of said floor plate on lsaid annular sleeve, and a closure disc screw-threaded in said counterbore flush with said door plate.

5. A floor loutlet box including a detachable closure lid therefor having a central opening therethrough, an annular sleeve adapted to be received axially of said closure lid opening in clearance relation, said closure lid and said annular sleeve including coactable means integral therewith whereby said annular sleeve is supported in adjustable oating relation by said closure lid, a resilient annular gasket including a backing ring therefor secured on said closure lid by the coactable means integral therewith embracing said annular sleeve in ilared sealing relation, an annular oor plate having a screw-threaded counterbore concentric therewith, an electrical outlet socket having an anchoring means integral therewith detachably secured to the underside of said floor plate concentric with said counterbore adapted to be detachably secured on the exposed end of said annular sleeve, coactable means on the inner periphery of said annular sleeve for receiving `said anchoring means in locked relation upon clockwise rotation of said floor plate on said annular sleeve, and a closure disc screw-threaded in said counterbore flush with said iloor plate.

6. A oor outlet box including a detachable closure lid therefor having a central opening therethrough, a plurality of adjustable supporting members carried by said closure lid in depending, captive relation, an annular sleeve adapted to be received axially of said closure lid opening in clearance relation, said annular sleeve including means coactable with the adjustable members on said closure lid whereby said annular sleeve is supported in adjustable oating relation on said closure lid, resilient means including a backing member secured on said closure lid by said supporting members in overlapping concentric relation with its central opening whereby to embrace said annular sleeve in flared sealing relation, an annular oor plate having a screw-threaded counterbore concentric therewith, an anchoring means secured on the underside of said floor plate in spaced concentric relation whereby said door plate is adapted to be detachably secured on the exposed end of said annular sleeve, coactable means integral with the inner periphery of said annular sleeve for receiving said anchoring means in locked relation upon clockwise rotation of said floor plate on said annular sleeve, and a closure disc screw-threaded in said counterbore tlush with said floor plate.

7. A oor outlet box comprising a base receptacle having a plurality of knock-out openings formed therein in co-axial alignment, a closure lid detachably secured on said base receptacle having a central opening therein, a plurality of adjustable supporting screws extending through said closure lid in depending relation, means detachably secured on said screws whereby said screws are maintained in captive relation with said closure lid, a resilient flat annular gasket including a backing ring there- `for secured on said closure lid by said adjustable screws in concentric overlapping relation with said closure lid opening, an annular sleeve adapted to be received axially of said closure lid opening in clearance relation therewith, said annular sleeve including a plurality of radially extending screw-threaded ears thereon for receiving the depending portions of said screws therethrough whereby said annular sleeve is supported in adjustable floating relation by said closure lid, an annular oor plate having a screw-threaded counterbore concentric therewith, an anchoring plate having a central opening therein secured on the underside of said floor plate in spaced concentric relation whereby sa-id floor plate is adapted to be detachably secured on said annular sleeve, coactable means integral with the inner periphery of said annular sleeve for receiving portions of said anchoring plate in locked relation upon clockwise rotation of said floor plate on said annular sleeve, and a closure disc screw-threaded in said counterbore flush with said floor plate.

8. A floor outlet box comprising a base receptacle having a plurality of knock-out openings formed therein in coaxial alignment, a detachable closure lid for said receptacle having a central opening therein, a plurality of adjustable supporting members extending through said closure lid in depending captive relation, a resilient flat annular gasket including a backing ring therefor secured on said closure lid by said supporting members in concentric overlapping relation with said closure lid opening, an annular sleeve adapted to be received axially of said closure lid opening in clearance relation with said resilient gasket in flared sealing engagement therewith, said annular sleeve including integral means coactable with the adjustable members on said closure lid whereby said annular sleeve is supported thereon in adjustable floating relation, an annular floor plate having a screwthreaded counterbore concentric therewith, an anchoring plate having a central opening therein secured on the underside of said floor plate in spaced concentric relation whereby said floor plate is adapted to be detachably secured on the exposed end of said annular sleeve, coactable means integral with the inner periphery of said annular sleeve for receiving said anchoring means in locked relation upon clockwise rotation of said floor plate on said annular sleeve, and a closure disc screw-threaded in said counterbore flush with said oor plate.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,254,641 Adam Jan. 22, 1918 1,682,940 smith sept. 4, 1928 2,886,630 Giu May 12, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 82,511 Netherlands Jury 17, 1956 

